Palestinian authorities report that thousands of residents in refugee camps across the occupied West Bank have been forced to flee due to an ongoing Israeli military operation that has destroyed homes and essential infrastructure in densely populated areas.
Escalation of the Offensive
The operation, which began on January 21 in the Jenin refugee camp, saw Israeli forces deploy hundreds of troops and bulldozers, demolishing houses and tearing up roads. The scale of destruction has left almost all residents displaced.
Mohammed al-Sabbagh, head of the Jenin camp services committee, stated that continuous demolitions and road destruction have made it impossible to assess the full extent of the damage.
Expansion to Other Refugee Camps
Initially concentrated in Jenin, the offensive has since spread to other camps, including Tulkarm and Nur Shams, both of which have also suffered extensive damage.
Israel claims the operation targets Iranian-backed militant groups operating in the West Bank, but its scale has far exceeded previous military raids.
Historical Context and Humanitarian Impact
The West Bank refugee camps house descendants of Palestinians displaced during the 1948 war following the creation of Israel. These camps have long been strongholds for armed groups, making them frequent targets of Israeli military raids.
However, the current offensive, launched as a ceasefire agreement was reached in Gaza, is one of the most extensive in recent history.
Widespread Displacement
According to Palestinian Authority figures:
- 17,000 people have fled Jenin refugee camp, leaving it nearly deserted.
- 6,000 residents have evacuated Nur Shams camp.
- 10,000 people have fled Tulkarm camp.
The mass displacement has left thousands in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, with infrastructure severely damaged and homes reduced to rubble.